Mega-group Bangtan Boys strive to be next hot K-pop sensation

South Korean pop music, or K-pop, has gained a global fan base over the past decade in part due to the success and appeal of breakthrough solo artists like Psy and mega-groups like Girl’s Generation and EXO.

Bangtan Boys (aka BTS, Bulletproof Boy Scouts, and Bangtan Sonyeondan) is the latest successful mega-group to hail from South Korea. The seven members earned multiple “New Artist of the Year” awards when they debuted in 2013.

The group was originally formed from winners that took part in the Big Hit’s “Hit It” auditions—a national South Korean talent competition. The members have all of the characteristics that make music superstars successful including good looks, solid dancing ability, varied vocal stylings, and hip-hop prowess. Bangtan Boy’s first album “Dark & Wild” reached number three on the Billboard international charts.

Social media and online videos continue to be a useful tool in helping international acts connect with existing fans and build relationships with new ones. In June 2015, Bangtan Boy’s released a music video for their latest single “Dope” to YouTube.

It will be interesting to see how this band continues to develop as their career evolves!